Wildlife Conservation and Management (final year top-up)

Facilities

Brackenhurst Campus

You will be studying in the ideal environment for Wildlife Conservation. Brackenhurst Campus is a 200-hectare estate with:

• farmland
• woodland
• wetland
• a diverse range of habitats and wildlife species.

Student research

• Conservation students are involved in tracking, mapping and recording a wide variety of species at Brackenhurst Campus.
• These have included hedgehogs, badgers, bats, newts and farmland bird species.
• Many of the techniques learnt at Brackenhurst Campus with native species have been transferred to global research projects including those on wolves, hyenas and vultures.

Brown Hare

• Brown hare can often be seen in the fields on the estate, especially in the field margins.
• Hares have been in decline in recent years due to habitat loss and ever-changing farming methods.
• In spring time hares have been observed "boxing" on the estate. This was commonly thought to be two males fighting but recently it has been observed that most boxing takes place between a male and female.

Farmland Birds

• Farmland birds have suffered dramatic declines over the past 40 years due to loss of habitat and agricultural intensification, one example being skylarks, which were once a common sight on farms.
• Here on the estate numbers are increasing due to the provision of quality nesting sites in summer crops and the use of field margins.
• Another farmland bird that has been in decline is the yellowhammer; however, numbers here at Brackenhurst are also on the increase.
• From 2008 farmland birds have been rung on the estate and the data has been used in research. Bird ringing is the delicate process of catching a bird and attaching an identifying ring.
• In the winter of 2008-2009, The South Nottinghamshire Ringing Group, along with staff and students, rang 5% of the national population of yellowhammers here on the estate.
• Grey Partridge are another farmland bird species that has suffered dramatic declines, however through conservation methods and wildlife friendly farming, numbers at Brackenhurst are increasing.

Great crested newts

• The Brackenhurst Estate hosts one of Nottinghamshire's highest populations of Great Crested Newt.
• Estimates range between 2,000-3,000 in various ponds and hybernaculas around the main hall and gardens.
• Great crested newts will navigate from one pond to another, often using the 12 miles of hedgerows to do so as they provide a food source, shelter and protection from predators.

Pond and bird hide

• Sheepwalk’s Pond was created in the winter of 1995 by excavating an area adjacent to Halloughton Dumble that suffered seasonal water logging due to the high water table, and natural spring, which is located to the north of the pond.
• Puddle clay, as used by canal builders, was used in the construction of this wildlife haven.
• The bird hide provides students with a platform to observe wildlife on the pond.
• Notable species include kingfisher, reed warbler, little grebe, shoveler, bittern and many other species of wildfowl.

Birds of prey

• In addition to kestrel, tawny owl, barn owl and sparrowhawk we have also recorded common buzzard, red kite, hobby and little owl.
• These birds commonly prey on small mammals and birds, but will also eat carrion.
• The first evidence of kestrels attempting to predate small birds in nest boxes was recorded on the Brackenhurst Estate during a student research project

Eco-library

Our 1,000 square metre, £2.5 million pound campus library opened in 2013. The library building uses energy-efficient and low-carbon initiatives such as photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, intelligent lighting control, heat-reclaim ventilation during winter, renewable cladding materials, locally sourced materials and water-leak detection systems.

Our biodiversity analysis of the library site highlighted the need to check for protected species such as bats and great crested newts. We've created new ponds, fence-ringed areas and bespoke habitats as part of our mitigation strategy.

Peregrine falcons – live streaming

The Newton building at Nottingham Trent University has, for the last decade, been home to a breeding pair of peregrine falcons, who nest on an outside ledge near the top. Watch live footage or archive video of them nesting, laying eggs and rearing their chicks. One of the Brackenhurst PhD research students is currently studying the behaviour of the NTU peregrines as part of a nationwide study investigating the use of urban habitats by peregrine falcons.

Green Flag status

Brackenhurst Campus has been awarded Green Flag status, a national award recognising green spaces throughout the country. We received the award along with other notable green spaces such as Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park and St James’s Park.

Conservation Society

Brackenhurst Campus has a student-led Conservation Society who organise events throughout the year. These include a variety of activities including seminars, species surveys, field day trips, social events and practical tasks such as habitat management.